Watching this episode, I came to realize that it contains all the elements that this show has come to be, and by my 3/10 rating you already know those elements aren't good.
I had problems with this episode before we even got to the opening credits, and that is for two reasons. First, every episode it seems tries to accomplish something, and that is to make the show "obscure" (I don't know if that's the right word for it). What I mean is it always starts with pointless camera angles and music and scenes that don't fit in with the rest of the show. If the show was actually a well made and directed television drama, It would likely fit well, but the fact is, to consider The Walking Dead what critics would consider "quality" would be naive.
My second problem with the opening was the actual content of it. It seemed to me like they were trying to tell me these characters were getting bored. The repetitive scenes only told me as a viewer that their lives have become a schedule, and from other details they didn't seem to be enjoying it. And this is the great irony. The characters are as bored as the audience typically is without their needed action. It seems as when a Walking Dead episode happens without action the IMDb rating suffers as the audience gets bored.
So that was the first 4 minutes of the episode, and far from the only problems, and the reason why this episode reflect the entire show.
First off, the point of character idiocy and feeling of invincibility. Off they go running, by themselves, splitting up willingly, going into dark rooms and shinning your light at everything but the thing that will bite you. Risking your life for a cooler and of course almost dying. All of this is old. And it sure isn't adding up to anything except for certainty that something bad will happen to one of them and create a little bit of excitement or action for the episode, which is exactly what happened in this one.
Another point, and a big one. The show is stretching thin. Very thin indeed. The last 2 or 3 episodes have been mostly following what seems to be the main plot, though I can't tell for sure due to failures of a solid main story. This episode, However, has nothing really to do with anything (anything meaning what has previously just happened in the storyline). We go from dealing with a new settlement, taking out another, and finally saving some captives (all connected, not well, but nevertheless connected), to going on some loot runs, and planning on making bullets, and some mediocre character development dialogue. None of this connects to all that. We are now focusing on characters that weren't previously that important.
I am all for increasing the circle of characters on the Walking Dead to more than the invincible original/semi-original few, but only if the timing is right, and it wasn't. I don't care about Denise, or who she is or her brother if the main plot is about dealing with "Negan" and Hobo Jesus and other recent events. The fact is the show is spread so thin that all its plot points are spread thin that its hard to recognize a main plot at this point.
This idea of thin plot was continued right to the end with Carol leaving for no apparent reason. I say this because there was no reason. She was there at the beginning of the episode, then the irrelevant stuff to her happened, then she decided to leave. Nothing changed for her, The only thing I can think of is she smoked her pack of cigarettes and is off to find more. Such a noble quest of no longer killing people and finding cigarettes.
So I will leave the criticism with that, and say afew honourable mentions as to why maybe this episode was okay.
So the reoccurring theme seen in this episode is the idea that "I should have killed him". That of course was said by Darryl on his short conversation with Carol, as she was battling with her thought of killing people. And this episode proved Darryl right. He should have killed him, and that perhaps shows the viewers that Carol is being unrealistic with her new thought. If a moderate like Darryl thinks he should have killed someone, then Carol should accept the killing of people and continue it herself. Seeing a small point to this episode elevated it.
I will also say that bringing back that random guy from 8 episodes ago bought us a storyline for the next 2 episodes, so as sad as that is, its a plus for this episode.
Overall, this episode falls flatter than a pancake. I say pancake and not crepe because my rating is 3/10 and there is obviously room to go flatter. If a good solid story is found and an end to the increasingly thinness to the characters and story happens, then this show can get back to the better days of seasons 1-3.
*Walking Dead fans, Please do not downvote my review because you don't like my rating, please rate it accordingly to if it was an informative and well done review. Thanks*
I had problems with this episode before we even got to the opening credits, and that is for two reasons. First, every episode it seems tries to accomplish something, and that is to make the show "obscure" (I don't know if that's the right word for it). What I mean is it always starts with pointless camera angles and music and scenes that don't fit in with the rest of the show. If the show was actually a well made and directed television drama, It would likely fit well, but the fact is, to consider The Walking Dead what critics would consider "quality" would be naive.
My second problem with the opening was the actual content of it. It seemed to me like they were trying to tell me these characters were getting bored. The repetitive scenes only told me as a viewer that their lives have become a schedule, and from other details they didn't seem to be enjoying it. And this is the great irony. The characters are as bored as the audience typically is without their needed action. It seems as when a Walking Dead episode happens without action the IMDb rating suffers as the audience gets bored.
So that was the first 4 minutes of the episode, and far from the only problems, and the reason why this episode reflect the entire show.
First off, the point of character idiocy and feeling of invincibility. Off they go running, by themselves, splitting up willingly, going into dark rooms and shinning your light at everything but the thing that will bite you. Risking your life for a cooler and of course almost dying. All of this is old. And it sure isn't adding up to anything except for certainty that something bad will happen to one of them and create a little bit of excitement or action for the episode, which is exactly what happened in this one.
Another point, and a big one. The show is stretching thin. Very thin indeed. The last 2 or 3 episodes have been mostly following what seems to be the main plot, though I can't tell for sure due to failures of a solid main story. This episode, However, has nothing really to do with anything (anything meaning what has previously just happened in the storyline). We go from dealing with a new settlement, taking out another, and finally saving some captives (all connected, not well, but nevertheless connected), to going on some loot runs, and planning on making bullets, and some mediocre character development dialogue. None of this connects to all that. We are now focusing on characters that weren't previously that important.
I am all for increasing the circle of characters on the Walking Dead to more than the invincible original/semi-original few, but only if the timing is right, and it wasn't. I don't care about Denise, or who she is or her brother if the main plot is about dealing with "Negan" and Hobo Jesus and other recent events. The fact is the show is spread so thin that all its plot points are spread thin that its hard to recognize a main plot at this point.
This idea of thin plot was continued right to the end with Carol leaving for no apparent reason. I say this because there was no reason. She was there at the beginning of the episode, then the irrelevant stuff to her happened, then she decided to leave. Nothing changed for her, The only thing I can think of is she smoked her pack of cigarettes and is off to find more. Such a noble quest of no longer killing people and finding cigarettes.
So I will leave the criticism with that, and say afew honourable mentions as to why maybe this episode was okay.
So the reoccurring theme seen in this episode is the idea that "I should have killed him". That of course was said by Darryl on his short conversation with Carol, as she was battling with her thought of killing people. And this episode proved Darryl right. He should have killed him, and that perhaps shows the viewers that Carol is being unrealistic with her new thought. If a moderate like Darryl thinks he should have killed someone, then Carol should accept the killing of people and continue it herself. Seeing a small point to this episode elevated it.
I will also say that bringing back that random guy from 8 episodes ago bought us a storyline for the next 2 episodes, so as sad as that is, its a plus for this episode.
Overall, this episode falls flatter than a pancake. I say pancake and not crepe because my rating is 3/10 and there is obviously room to go flatter. If a good solid story is found and an end to the increasingly thinness to the characters and story happens, then this show can get back to the better days of seasons 1-3.
*Walking Dead fans, Please do not downvote my review because you don't like my rating, please rate it accordingly to if it was an informative and well done review. Thanks*